Book sale-off in Baku organized by Qanun Pub­lish­ing House (Facebook)

Almost three decades after inde­pen­dence, Russian language still plays a large role in Azer­bai­jan. Many of the country’s schools and uni­ver­si­ties are divided: into the Azer­bai­jani-medium Azsector, and a Russian-language sector. But the divide goes far beyond the language: graduates of the Russian sector often see them­selves as the elites of society, more pro­gres­sive, more open-minded, and more cultured. In turn, they are portrayed as aloof, unpa­tri­ot­ic, and not ‘real’ Azer­bai­ja­nis.[Read more…]

Fresh graduates in front of the National Uni­ver­si­ty of Archi­tec­ture and Con­struc­tion of Armenia (/itdsc.am)

With declining funding from the gov­ern­ment, Armenia’s higher education system is facing crisis. On top of this, politi­ci­sa­tion, outward migration, high fees for such a poor country, and a lack of clear strategy for the sector have left many experts worried.